Hampton man charged in Sunday York Walmart fire

A 20-year-old Hampton man has been jailed in York County where he is charged with having set a fire inside the York Walmart store on Sunday morning. William Eckman, who court documents state has a Hampton address, appeared in York County Court before Judge Lynelle Homolka on Wednesday morning where he was charged with first degree arson and two other charges in connection with the incident. 
According to a warrantless affidavit filed with the court, officers of the York Police Department responded to Walmart for a report of a fire inside the building, which was said to be heavily occupied at the time. At about the same time, the document said, a man identifying himself as Eckman was on the line with dispatch and had admitted to lighting the fire. He also stated that he was still in the immediate area. 
According to the document, officers located Eckman near the dumpsters on the north side of the store where he was taken into custody. The affidavit stated that Walmart had estimated the total value of the destroyed merchandise to be $14,610, which does not include damage to the store itself. 
Count 1 of the complaint charges Eckman with arson in the first degree (a Class 2 felony). The other two counts charge him with making terroristic threats and criminal mischief in excess of $5,000. 
The judge appointed York attorney David Michel as Eckman's defense attorney and set bond at $25,000. Eckman's next court appearance has been set for Nov. 26 at 9 a.m. in York County Court.